Save the Tigers is an Indian Telugu-language comedy drama thriller television series created by Pradeep Advaitham and Mahi V Raghav and directed by Teja Kakumanu and Arun Kothapally. The series produced by Mahi V Raghav and Chinna Vasudeva Reddy under Three Autumn Leaves.[3] It stars Priyadarshi Pulikonda, Abhinav Gomatam, Krishna Chaitanya,Deviyani Sharma, Pavani Gangireddy and Jordar in the lead roles.[4] It premiered on Disney+ Hotstar on 27 April 2023.[5]
| Save the Tigers | |
|---|---|
 Promotional poster | |
| Genre | Comedy drama |
| Created by | Mahi V Raghav Pradeep Advaitham |
| Written by |
|
| Directed by | Teja Kakumanu, Arun Kothaplly[1] |
| Starring |
|
| Music by | Ajay Arasada |
| Country of origin | India |
| Original language | Telugu |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 13 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Rohith Pisapati |
| Producers |
|
| Cinematography | S. V. Vishweshwar |
| Editor | Shravan Katikaneni |
| Camera setup | Multi-camera |
| Production company | Three Autumn Leaves |
| Original release | |
| Network | Disney+ Hotstar |
| Release | 27 April 2023 |
Plot
editGhanta Ravi (Priyadarshi Pulikonda) is a dairy farm proprietor, Vikram (Krishna Chaitanya) is a creative ad writer, while Rahul (Abhinav Gomatam) nurtures aspirations of becoming a writer. Through a series of serendipitous encounters, these individuals forge a bond, giving rise to an unforeseen and unique friendship. They share a common frustration with their wives' behaviors. The trio faces legal trouble when caught in a drunk driving case. Simultaneously, the police discover a prominent actress has been kidnapped. The series explores whether the trio has any connection to her disappearance. The reasons behind their alcohol consumption are revealed, examining if it is linked to their marital issues. The trio refers to themselves as "Tigers", and the series explores the significance of this choice in the larger narrative.
Cast
editOverview
edit| Character | Portrayed by | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 (2023) |
Season 2 (2024) | ||
| Ghanta Ravi | Priyadarshi Pulikonda | Main | |
| Rahul | Abhinav Gomatam | Main | |
| Vikram | Krishna Chaitanya | Main | |
| Hymavathi | Jordar Sujatha | Main | |
| Madhuri | Pavani Gangireddy | Main | |
| Rekha | Deviyani Sharma | Main | |
Main
edit- Priyadarshi Pulikonda as Ghanta Ravi: He runs a dairy business. He is proud of his line of work even though his immediate family including his wife and elder daughter isn't
- Abhinav Gomatam as Rahul: He quit his job to become a freelance writer. He is shown to be always struggling to find work
- Krishna Chaitanya as Vikram: A corporate guy who faces constant heat from his boss in the first season
- Jordar Sujatha as Hymavathi: She is Ghanta Ravi's wife and a beautician by profession
- Pavani Gangireddy as Madhuri: She Rahul's wife and a doctor by profession
- Deviyani Sharma as Rekha: She is Vikram wife and a lawyer by profession
Recurring
edit- Gangavva as Poshavva, Ghanta Ravi's mother. She lives with her family, consisting of her son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren, in their family buffalo pen (Season 1-)
- Jabardasth Rohini as Lakshmi: She is the house help of Rahul and Madhuri. She has a witty sense of humour and often looks down on her boss, Rahul for not having a full-time job (Season 1-)
- Harsha Vardhan as Ram Mohan: Vikram's boss (Season 1)
- Sunaina Badam as Rajini Devi, Vikram's co-worker. Like Vikram, she too is put through a great deal of stress by Ram Mohan who makes her do his son's homework (Season 1)
- Srikanth Iyengar as Inspector Jagan (Season 1-)
- Satya Krishnan as Spandana a psychiatrist. She counsels and eventually becomes close with Hymavathi, Madhuri and Rekha (Season 1-)
- Venu Yeldandi as Raghava, a news anchor. He harbours a minor vendetta against Rahul and thereby on all the three tigers because Rahul prank called him in the first season. It is revealed in the second season that he is the husband of Spandana (Season 1-)
- Jayasri Rachakonda as Arundhati, Vikram's mother-in-law (Season 1-)
- Ananth Babu as Kumar, the president of the gated community in which Rahul and Madhuri live. He also doesn't have a high opinion of Rahul (Season 1-)
- Seerat Kapoor as actresses Hamsalekha (Season 2)
- Darshana Banik as Harika. She has an unrequited crush on Vikram (Season 2)
- Kireeti Damaraju as actor Vrushen Babu. He is Hamsalekha's fiance at the beginning of the second season (Season 2)
- RK Mama as Pittala Srisailam, the MLA of Jubilee Hills (Season 2)
- Aarthi Ganeshkar as Laboni, Rahul's neighbour. She has frequent brushes with Rahul because of the latter's protest to her puppy soiling the lobby and barking frequently (Season 2)
- Sivannarayana Naripeddi as Rahul's father-in-law (Season 2)
- Muralidhar Goud as Ghanta Ravi's father-in-law. Also, Poshavva's younger sibling (Season 2)
- Ambati Srinivas as real estate salesperson 1 (Season 2)
- Mukku Avinash as real estate salesperson 2 (Season 2)
Episodes
editSeries overview
editSeason 1 (2023)
edit| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "Mother's day" | Teja Kakumanu | Pradeep Advaitham Vijay Namoju Karthik Anand | 27 April 2023 | |
|
Three frustrated husbands are in the police station for a drunk-and-drive case and start telling their life stories to the CI. They tell him how they met at a school day event for their kids and became friends. | ||||||
| 2 | 2 | "Tiger Meet" | Teja Kakumanu | Pradeep Advaitham Vijay Namoju Karthik Anand | 27 April 2023 | |
|
The ACP informs the CI that the famous actress Hamsalekha is missing. The frustrated husbands continue to share their woes with the CI, about their life and marital problems that led them to meet at a bar for drinks. | ||||||
| 3 | 3 | "Tigers on TV" | Teja Kakumanu | Pradeep Advaitham Vijay Namoju Karthik Anand | 27 April 2023 | |
|
Rahul is jealous of his wife's relationship with her colleague. The wives of the three frustrated husbands meet at a beauty salon by coincidence and they see a video of their husbands creating a ruckus in a bar on TV. | ||||||
| 4 | 4 | "Dikky Dikky" | Teja Kakumanu | Pradeep Advaitham Vijay Namoju Karthik Anand | 27 April 2023 | |
| 5 | 5 | "No Pain No Gain" | Teja Kakumanu | Pradeep Advaitham Vijay Namoju Karthik Anand | 27 April 2023 | |
|
Ghanta Ravi sees a guy getting too close to his daughter and warns him. Rahul attempts to work out but ends up with an injury. At the Hospital, he finds out Madhuri's colleague who he hates is actually engaged and Rahul is relieved. | ||||||
| 6 | 6 | "Rise of the Tigers" | Teja Kakumanu | Pradeep Advaitham Vijay Namoju Karthik Anand | 27 April 2023 | |
|
The underwear AD made by Vikram becomes a controversy and he loses his job. Rekha files a case against the AD. The CI asks them to leave but then realizes they are connected to the missing actress and arrests them. | ||||||
Season 2 (2024)
edit| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 1 | "Where is Hamsalekha?" | Arun Kothapally | Pradeep Advaitham Vijay Namoju Karthik Anand | 15 March 2024 | |
|
CI Bhikshapathi interrogates the protagonists. Confessions follow, straining relationships. Madhuri seeks space from Rahul, and Vikram's job news triggers Rekha's exit. Hymavati persuades Ganta Ravi to a gated community reluctantly. | ||||||
| 8 | 2 | "7 Year Itch" | Arun Kothapally | Pradeep Advaitham Vijay Namoju Karthik Anand | 15 March 2024 | |
|
Rekha, Hymavati, and Madhuri consult Spandana on marriage woes. She warns of the "7 Years Itch." Vikram launches a startup, impressing Harika. Ganta Ravi introduces Rahul to Hamsalekha's script opportunity. Ravi gets a corporator ticket. | ||||||
| 9 | 3 | "Hail Women Power" | Arun Kothaplly | Pradeep Advaitham Vijay Namoju Karthik Anand | 15 March 2024 | |
|
Hamsalekha asks Ganta Ravi to find a scriptwriter. Rahul faces criticism for chasing a dog. Ganta Ravi explores a gated community. Dimple runs for school captain. Wives are shocked by Spandana's views and behaviour at her anniversary. | ||||||
| 10 | 4 | "10000 BC" | Arun Kothapally | Pradeep Advaitham Vijay Namoju Karthik Anand | 15 March 2024 | |
|
In the Stone Age, a comical exploration of evolving relationships. Rahul complains about Laboni at a community meeting. Ganta Ravi gives money to MLA PA. Vikram and Harika's ad pitch is rejected, but an impromptu idea gets approved. | ||||||
| 11 | 5 | "Pets and Owners" | Arun Kothaplly | Pradeep Advaitham Vijay Namoju Karthik Anand | 15 March 2024 | |
|
Rahul's calf stunt sparks uproar. Ganta Ravi uses Hymavati's money for gated community. Madhuri disheartened by Rahul's behavior. Dimple fights Sahasra. Vikram-Harika bond over struggles. Dimple's school call panics Ganta Ravi-Hymavathi | ||||||
| 12 | 6 | "Family Celebration" | Arun Kothapally | Pradeep Advaitham Vijay Namoju Karthik Anand | 15 March 2024 | |
|
Ganta Ravi hosts event celebrating Dimple. Hamsalekha bonds with his family. Spandana, Vijaykanth reconcile. MLA's remarks upset Hamsalekha. Rekha takes a break for Aditi. Ganta Ravi consoles Dimple, offering lifelong support. | ||||||
| 13 | 7 | "Fall of the Tigers" | Arun Kothapally | Pradeep Advaitham Vijay Namoju Karthik Anand | 15 March 2024 | |
|
Vikram's party sparks Harika's emotions. Ganta Ravi-Hymavathi fights about money. Rahul rejects changes in the script. Vikram values Rekha. Misunderstanding ruins Vikram's marriage. Ganta Ravi was touched by Dimple. Rahul moves to Kolkata | ||||||
Reception
editA critic from 123telugu gave the series 3.25/5 stars and stated "Save The Tigers is an uproarious series that guarantees laughter from start to finish. Priyadarshi, Abhinav Gomatam, and Krishna Chaitanya steal the show with their impeccable performances, infusing the series with an abundance of humor. While the storyline is uncomplicated and a few imperfections exist, the overall experience is perfect for a family weekend watch. Rest assured, this series offers a unique and entertaining experience without any compromise on originality."[6]
Paul Nicodemus of The Times of India gave the series 3/5 stars and stated "In this Telugu comedy series, skillful direction by Teja Kakumanu and a well-cast ensemble bring to life the daily frustrations of three couples, providing a humorous commentary on modern life dynamics. Despite the entertaining and insightful content, the series concludes with a suspenseful 'to be continued' note in its final episode."[7]
Avad Mohammad of OTTplay gave the series 3.5/5 stars and stated that "Save The Tigers is a riotous comedy caper that nails the sweet spot between humor and relatable scenarios. Clocking in at a concise half-hour per episode, it's the perfect dose of clean, family-friendly entertainment. Sure, there are a few moments that veer into the over-the-top territory, but that only adds to the charm. This series wraps up as a fantastic way to kick back and enjoy some quality time with your family. Trust me, it's worth a watch."[8]
A critic from Eenadu stated that "Raghava and Pradeep bring lots of funny moments to the story of three couples dealing with issues like who's in charge and not trusting each other. Teja Kakumanu's funny acting adds to the fun, and the movie looks really good thanks to its great production."[9]
Abhilasha Cherukuri of Cinema Express gave the series 3.5/5 stars and stated that "Save The Tigers initially hinted at a breezy and light-hearted experience, but it surprisingly leaves the audience with a sense of weariness and heaviness. There's a wishful longing for the writers to have delved more profoundly into the dependable premise and the fairly decent set of characters."[10]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (19 April 2023). "Teja Kakumanu to debut as director with Disney+ Hotstar Telugu comedy web series 'Save the Tigers'". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 25 August 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
- ^ "Mahi V Raghav thanks the audience for the superb response to Save the Tigers". 123telugu. 7 May 2023. Archived from the original on 7 June 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
- ^ "The trailer of Save the Tigers is here". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 13 April 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
- ^ "Save the Tigers is a clean family comedy, say makers of Hotstar's web series". ragalahari.com. 11 April 2023.
- ^ "Save the Tigers: Streaming Now on Disney+ HotStar". gulte.com. 28 April 2023. Archived from the original on 5 May 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
- ^ "OTT Review: Save the Tigers – Telugu series on Disney Plus Hotstar". 123telugu. 27 April 2023. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
- ^ "Save the Tigers Season 1 Review : A fun-filled Telugu comedy series that works". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 2 May 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
- ^ "Review: Save the Tigers Telugu Web Series on Hotstar: Hilarious and Witty". OTTplay. Archived from the original on 28 August 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
- ^ "Save the Tigers Review: రివ్యూ: సేవ్ ది టైగర్స్" [Save the Tigers Review]. Eenadu (in Telugu). Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
- ^ "Save the Tigers Web Series: A campy, tried-and-tested comedy with patchy writing". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 5 May 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
